Nine associated beneficiaries

Created in 1993 to develop the gorges of Gardon as a Grand Site, SMGG is a public body comprising 10 municipalities and the Gard department. SMGG work has since expanded to include naturalist monitoring, atural area management, territorial coordination, drystone infrastructure rehabilitation and environmental education thanks to various mechanisms: Operation Grand Site (France), Natura 2000 (EU), the Agri- Environmental Programme (EU) and the Biosphere Reserve label (UNESCO).

SMGG manages 7 Natura 2000 sites (400 km²) and is part of 3 regional and national action plans (for the Bonelli’s Eagle, the Egyptian Vulture and chiropterans). LIFE projects have been a driving force behind SMGG conservation actions: LIFE96NAT/F/003200 Chênaie Verte provided guidelines for Gardon massif management and SMGG was an associated beneficiary in 4 projects: 2 for the preservation of bat habitats

(LIFE04NAT/FR/000080 ChiroFR Sud, LIFE08NAT/F/000473 Chiro Med), one to reverse the decline of the Egyptian Vulture (LIFE03NAT/F/000103 Vautour) and another implementing protective measures for hawks in the military camp des Garrigues (LIFE11NAT/FR/000734 Défense Nature 2MIL).

SMGG also develops awareness and education programmes for the general public and supports the growth of activities compatible with environmental objectives: a charter with the French climbing federation to safeguard Bonelli’s Eagle nesting sites, development of pastoralism…

The Gard Department manages a network of 18 “Sensitive Natural Areas” (4,445 ha), including that of the Cèze gorges and massif (2,800 ha). This area benefits from the Forestry Regime and thus has a Forestry Management Plan in force until 2034. The Plan defines the interventions on the forest ecosystem for management, exploitation and accompanying activities. Thus, the actions that will be carried out by the Department are extracted from the different actions carried out in the Sensitive Natural Area Management Plan.

 

The CEN Occitanie is a non-profit association approved for environmental protection. Its purpose is to preserve the natural heritage of ecological, biological or geological interest or potential in the Occitanie region. Its intervention is based on 5 axes :

• acquisition of knowledge on biodiversity by carrying out inventories and expert assessments
• protection through land ownership or use of remarkable natural sites,
• implementation of management plans
• Enhancement of the natural heritage
• Supporting public policies in favour of biodiversity.

The COGARD association aims to study and protect the fauna and flora of the Gard. Its initially ornithological skills have gradually evolved to cover other taxonomic groups: reptiles, amphibians, insects, chiropterans but also flora and habitats. The COGard has 3 missions:

- Study: carrying out local, regional or national surveys as well as studies in the framework of National Action Plans (NAP), Natura 2000, scientific monitoring…

- Protect: coordination at regional level of the Little Bustard NAP and at departmental level of the Bonelli's Eagle NAP ; organisation of work camps for the construction and installation of nesting boxes ; participation in consultation meetings with administrations and elected representatives…

- Informing and raising awareness: disseminating and sharing knowledge with young people and adults through events, conferences, etc.

The aim of the CPIE30 is to promote and develop Education for the Environment and Sustainable Development in the Gard department through the networking of actors and territorial cooperation. It shus animates a network of 60 actors working in the field of Environmental Education in the Gard and coordinates the implementation and running of collective awareness-raising actions for different audiences.

The Association “ Les Ecologistes de l'Euzière” benefits from more than 40 years of experience in environmental education and management of Mediterranean natural environments. Its activities are diversified: naturalist studies, environmental education, heritage interpretation, publishing, training.

Within the studies sector, the Ecologistes de l’Euzière intervene for field assessments : habitat mapping, evaluation of the faunistic and floristic richness of natural environments, analysis of the consequences of development works and compensatory measures, proposals and implementation of management plan methods.

The Gard Chamber of Agriculture is an institution with an original status of "consular" organisation. It has the status of a public establishment but is run by 34 elected professionals representing the main players in the agricultural, rural and forestry sector. As such, it has a specificity defined by the law, benefiting from administrative autonomy while being subject to the supervision of the public authorities.

The CA30's vocation is therefore to advise and train farmers by offering a wide range of services, both in response to public service missions and for services.

CIVAMs are associations working in the field of agricultural and rural development. The CIVAM movement was built in the 1950s around the values of popular education, autonomy and equal opportunities for all.

The Departmental Federation's approach aims to promote the sharing of experiences and cooperation, develop partnerships, support collective actions and territorial projects and communicate on the rural world.

It also builds and implements projects in the following fields : development of agro ecological practices, agroforestry, development of organic agriculture, agritourism, development of short circuits and accessibility to healthy and local food, alternatives to pesticides in non-agricultural areas...

La Capelle et Masmolène is a commune of 453 inhabitants within the community of communes of the “Pays d'Uzès”. It is the largest commune in the Community of Communes (2,500 ha) and has many natural assets, in particular the pond de La Capelle.

The town hall of La Capelle and Masmolène manages the municipal fishing area, which is located in the Natura 2000 site.